Supported independent living, usually shortened to SIL, is an NDIS funded support where you live in your own home or a shared house with other NDIS participants and have support workers on site to help you with daily life. The "independent" part is the goal. The "supported" part is how you get there.
SIL is not a group home in the old institutional sense. It is not residential care. It is not a facility. It is your home, with people around to help you live as independently as you can.
What daily life in SIL looks like
You wake up in your own room. A support worker helps you with personal care if you need it. You have breakfast, maybe you made it yourself, maybe the worker helped, maybe another resident cooked for the house. You go about your day, which might include work, day program, social activities, appointments, or time at home.
Throughout the day, support workers help with whatever you need. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting, groceries, medications, health monitoring, getting out to activities. The level of support varies. Some SIL residents need help with almost everything. Others are mostly independent and just need a few hours of support a day.
The key difference between SIL and getting support workers to come to your own home is the 24/7 staffing. Someone is always there. That is what makes SIL suitable for participants with higher support needs who cannot safely be alone for extended periods.
Who SIL is for
SIL is for NDIS participants who need regular or continuous support to live safely. This might include people with intellectual disability who need help with daily tasks and decision making. People with physical disability who need personal care and mobility assistance throughout the day. People with psychosocial disability who need structured support and monitoring. People with acquired brain injury who need routine, supervision, and help with daily living skills.
You do not have to be in any particular age group. SIL is available to adults and young people transitioning out of the family home.
How it is funded
SIL is funded under Core Supports in your NDIS plan. The NDIA determines how much SIL funding you receive based on a detailed assessment of your support needs. This assessment usually involves a functional capacity evaluation by an occupational therapist and a SIL quote from a provider like Acme.
SIL funding covers the support workers. It does not cover rent or the physical property. If you also need specialist housing (SDA), that is funded separately.
Interested in SIL? Call 07 3063 3362 and we can talk through what is involved, show you some properties, and help you understand the funding process.
Need NDIS support in South East Queensland?
Acme Support Services provides nursing, personal care, SIL, and transport across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, and Redlands.
Talk to our team →